Jane Patterson

As average house prices in Auckland top $1 million, the Prime Minister says he would not oppose mandatory debt-to-income ratios to cool the market.

New Zealand has begun its second month-long stint as President of the United Nations Security Council.

New Zealand companies' lack of awareness about cyber security could be making them more vulnerable to attack, a security expert says.

Cyber attacks are on the rise in New Zealand, says the Minister responsible for the GCSB and SIS, Chris Finlayson.

A new kind of cyber attack is emerging - cyber ransoming, where hackers seize files or intellectual property, and demand money for their return. Audio

Prime Minister John Key has published an open letter in Chinese media in New Zealand, reassuring the community about crime levels.

Helen Clark faces a crucial vote in the next 24 hours when the UN Security Council holds its third straw poll on who should be the next Secretary-General.

A Labour Party MP says the government is passing the buck after a law went through letting local councils decide whether to allow Easter Sunday trading. Audio

The Labour Party wants the government to stop issuing work visas for jobs that are not on skilled worker shortage lists.

The Police Association has warned of the likelihood of a mass killing in New Zealand due to a ready availability of semi-automatic weapons.

Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler has reaffirmed plans to further lower the official cash rate, defending the bank's strategy of continued cuts.

Prime Minister John Key, responding to questions about the discovery of a listening device in the All Blacks' hotel, says he has also been a target.

Power Play - While new powers to spy on New Zealanders have received attention, the new intelligence legislation addresses an issue that has flown under the radar for years.

The steel company understood to have laid a dumping complaint against China wants the government to take a stronger stance.

New Zealand will ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change by the end of the year, the government says.

The Labour Party will support the first reading of new legislation that allows intelligence agencies to spy on NZers, but says there are areas that need addressing.

Another day, another revelation about when the government became aware of a possible trade dispute with China, and what was done about it.

Power Play - Immigration numbers are at record levels, but new arrivals put stresses on the nation, and that can cause dangerous resentments, writes Jane Patterson.

Record numbers of work approvals and a sharp increase in new residents have put renewed pressure on the government to rein in immigration

Helen Clark has the government's backing for as long as she chooses to stay in the contest for the next United Nations Secretary-General.

Power Play - Was Justice Minister Amy Adams right to sign off a nearly $1 million payment to David Bain, asks Jane Patterson.

Power Play - Rule number one for a successful political career: do not make your leader look bad, writes Jane Patterson.

The Green Party's declaration that Auckland house prices should be lowered by up to 50 percent faces strong resistance from its political ally. Audio

Power Play - In trying to detract from Labour's housing policy, Steven Joyce put discussion about the rights or wrongs of taking dividends front and centre.

The government will formally accept all of the recommendations made by John Shewan relating to New Zealand's foreign trust laws, except one.